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Sports Reporter
How Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(2) 2
Caps United .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
CAPS UNITED coach Lloyd Chitembwe defended his players after Makepekepe suffered their first Castle Lager Premier Soccer League defeat of the season at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
After going unbeaten in five matches, a run that also saw Makepekepe defeating city rivals Dynamos, the Green Machine could not add How Mine to their list of victims.
How Mine coach Kelvin Kaindu had demanded a reaction from his charges after a shock defeat away to Mutare City last weekend and his lads gave him the perfect response.
First half goals by Charles Sibanda and Qadr Amini handed the home side victory as Abbas Amidu late effort was not enough to rescue Caps.
Chitembwe said he knew that his team’s fairytale start to the season would come to an end one day and chose to draw some positives from a hugely frustrating afternoon.
“Not really frustrating, we are satisfied (with the performance); there is no team that can dominate for an entire season,” he said.
“Obviously the result is not what we expected but generally we managed to pick a lot of positives, especially in the second half where the players showed the right kind of character that we expect.
“There is a lot that this team can offer. One area of concern probably will be the way we conceded those goals I feel we could have done better in closing down our opponents.”
However, there was nothing Makepekepe goalie Jorum Muchambo could have done to deal with Amini’s stinging left footer that was struck with admirale venom and precision in the 33rd minute.
Seven minutes earlier How Mine had taken the lead after the trio of Pasca Manhanga, Kuda Musharu and Sibanda played neat one-touch passes before the latter hit a volley home.
How Mine have found the spark since the arrival of Zambian gaffer Kaindu and they moved to fourth position after yesterday’s victory.
The former Bosso gaffer conceded Caps United gave them a scare in the second half.
“I think it was good for us to beat a team that is on top of the log, we responded quiet well. It was a bit tight, especially in the second half as Caps United came at us but it’s good we took all the three points,” he said.
Makepekepe threw everything at Chikurupati as they sought to rescue the game with Chitembwe making three tactical changes after the break.
He brought on Leonard Tsipa, Kudzai Nyamupfukudza and Amidu for Method Mwanjali, Phineas Bamusi and Valentine Musarurwa respectively.
They visitors could have pulled it off but the attacking trio of Dominic Chungwa, Simba Nhivi and Tsipa took turns to miss chances.
Amidu finally got it right, 10 minutes before full-time, when he coolly controlled a Tsipa nod-down before slamming the ball past Munyaradzi Diya.
It was too little too late for the Green Machine.
Teams
How Mine: M Diya, T Kumbuyani, Q Amini, K Chideu, M Sakala, V Kamhuka, T Ranthokoane (T Banda, 51’), P Manhanga, K Musharu (G Nguwodzawo, 76’), C Sibanda, T Masuku (F Chirinda, 60’)
Caps United: J Muchambo, V Musarurwa (A Amidu, 53’), R Pfumbidzai, J Jangano, S Makatuka, M Mwanjali (L Tsipa, 46’), J Ngodzo, H Zvirekwi, P Bamusi (K Nyamupfukudza, 46’), S Nhivi, D Chungwa
Online Reporter